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STORY SUMMARY

Video courtesy Hawaii News Now, File video by Matt Binder, Visionary Video | Voice of Stephanie Salazar KEALAKEKUA BAY, Hawaii: Hawaii Pack and Paddle, the Kona company that made headlines recently for its involvement in the presumed drowning of New York visitor Tyler Madoff, has had its permit to conduct commercial tours by kayak to […]

KEALAKEKUA BAY, Hawaii: Hawaii Pack and Paddle, the Kona company that made headlines recently for its involvement in the presumed drowning of New York visitor Tyler Madoff, has had its permit to conduct commercial tours by kayak to the historic Ka‘awaloa Flats section of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.

The Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources voted unanimously to terminate the revocable permit, following the July 4th incident where high surf swept Madoff out to sea. Hawaii Pack and Paddle employees, who had led a group of teens visiting Kaawaloa with the Colorado based Bold Earth tour company, were credited with saving lives that day.

However, the Division of State Parks said the company violated its permit that day, by exceeded the number of allowed customers per tour, exceeding the maximum allowable time period at Ka‘awaloa of 2 1/2 hours per tour, and not remaining within the authorized permit area between the landing site at ‘Awili and the Captain Cook Monument.

Pack and Paddle guides even took news videographer Matt Binder out to the scene of the tragedy, something that was noted by Land Board member Rob Pacheco.

Hawaii Pack and Paddle lawyer Bob Frame tried in vain to buy his clients more time. However, the Land Board will allow the company to return to the board’s October 12, 2012 meeting to request a reconsideration.